Pete Whittaker is one of the world's top big wall solo climbers, having made the first solo-free ascent (in 2016) of Yosemite's notorious 3000ft El Capitan in under 24 hours and the first solo-free ascent of Mt Watkins (2000ft) in just 15 hours (2017). In 2018, Pete followed these significant achievements by completing a sub-24 hour solo of both El Capitan and the 5000ft Half Dome. Pete now returns to theatres - following the cancellation of the original dates in March 2020 due to lockdown - with the stories of his many remarkable feats in his 'audience with…' style stage show, Solo & Free, presented by Speakers from the Edge, in association with Wild Country, UnParallel and Leighton Vans.

In Solo & Free, Pete takes audiences on a journey, from the sub-culture of crack climbing and astronomical lactate pumping athletic feats, to speed solos of the world's biggest cliffs. Driven by the physical and mental challenges and suffering, Pete looks to find that mythical point between the possible and impossible, by climbing not just one, but multiple big walls alone in under 24-hours.

Little over a decade ago, Pete's drive and motivation led him to set a body breaking goal, a tried but unaccomplished rock climb deep in the American desert. He trained alongside his long-term climbing partner, with just two photographs serving as information about the climb! After two years they succeeded in making their first ascent of what is now considered as the world's hardest off-width climb (off-width referring to the size of cracks in the wall, where they're too wide for jamming a hand in, but too narrow to fit an entire body in).

Solo & Free is touring to eight rescheduled UK theatres in February and March 2022 - for further details on tickets, dates and venues, visit www.speakersfromtheedge.com/tours

FULL TOUR SCHEDULE / 

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022

• Tues 22 Feb INVERNESS Eden Court 01463 234234 eden-court.co.uk
• Wed 23 Feb ABERDEEN The Lemon Tree 01224 641122 aberdeenperformingarts.com
• Fri 25 Feb STIRLING The Tolbooth 01786 274000 stirlingevents.org
• Sat 26 Feb PENRITH Rheged Centre 01768 868000 rheged.com
• Sun 27 Feb SALE (Grtr Manchester) Waterside Arts 0161 912 5616 watersidearts.org
• Mon 28 Feb CHELTENHAM Town Hall 01242 528764 cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk
• Wed 2 March CAERNARFON Galeri Theatre 01286 685222 galericaernarfon.com
• Thurs 3 March BRECON Theatr Brycheiniog 01874 611622 brycheiniog.co.uk